Continuous Residence

[tab78]

Hello. I need help on a question. Became a permanent resident back
in 96 (was 18). Went back to home country for 4 straight years to
finish college. To my knowledge at the time this was permitted and
there was no repercussions. My relatives assured me of this so I did
not feel the need to research any further.
Came back to the US in 2001 and now have lived in the US for 6
years only leaving the country to take vacation trips of maximum of
3 weeks. I'm worried the fact that I left at one point for more
than 1 year nullifies my residence and therefore can't apply for citizenship.
One lawyer tells me not to apply. The other tells me that only the last
5 years get reviewed. To apply and not to worry.
Do I need to put down all my trips outside the US after I became a
US resident? Or is it only the last 5 years? Do they have a thorough
enough checking process that they know I left the country for more
than 1 year?

Need help clarifying this situation.

Thanks in advance.

[JMRJ]

This worksheet helped me a lot before I considered applying for Naturalization: You can be able to determine if you meet the requirements. Download, print, and fill. I also suggest to get an FOIA (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-639.pdf) before applying. It really came in handy for me. All of my records were in there. Goodluck!

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-480.pdf

[SHELLYFCO]

Hello. I need help on a question. Became a permanent resident back
in 96 (was 18). Went back to home country for 4 straight years to
finish college. To my knowledge at the time this was permitted and
there was no repercussions. My relatives assured me of this so I did
not feel the need to research any further.
Came back to the US in 2001 and now have lived in the US for 6
years only leaving the country to take vacation trips of maximum of
3 weeks. I'm worried the fact that I left at one point for more
than 1 year nullifies my residence and therefore can't apply for citizenship.
One lawyer tells me not to apply. The other tells me that only the last
5 years get reviewed. To apply and not to worry.
Do I need to put down all my trips outside the US after I became a
US resident? Or is it only the last 5 years? Do they have a thorough
enough checking process that they know I left the country for more
than 1 year?

Need help clarifying this situation.

Thanks in advance.

They can determine when you entered and when you returned.

[mymexicanman]

This worksheet helped me a lot before I considered applying for Naturalization: You can be able to determine if you meet the requirements. Download, print, and fill. I also suggest to get an FOIA (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/g-639.pdf) before applying. It really came in handy for me. All of my records were in there. Goodluck!

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-480.pdf


The FOIA helped you a lot ? How so ? Does it say on the FOIA the dates of you entering ?
Please explain.
Thanks, Jen

[JMRJ]

The FOIA helped you a lot ? How so ? Does it say on the FOIA the dates of you entering ?
Please explain.
Thanks, Jen
It has all of the paperwork that I sent to the immigration since the beginning of my process except the records of entries and exits to the U.S. It helped me to review back my history if there are any red flags that might prevent me from applying Naturalization. Lucky, my case was very straightforward from start to finish.

[mymexicanman]

It has all of the paperwork that I sent to the immigration since the beginning of my process except the records of entries and exits to the U.S. It helped me to review back my history if there are any red flags that might prevent me from applying Naturalization. Lucky, my case was very straightforward from start to finish.

Thanks for the info.

Could you tell me what a RED FLAG would be ?

I am also a residence since 93 and was out for about 5-6 years and then in 99 or 00 I went back and forth between usa and germany. I was more in germany but was always in usa many times a year.

I am thinking about getting citizenship. But I am unsure.

[JMRJ]

Red flags, depends on the fact of your case. In your situation, seems like you have a concern of the entries/ exits. Those informations should be stamped on your passport. Unfortunately, there is no record of entries/exits on the FOIA. There is a link of an Eligibility Worksheet above to find out if meet the requirements for Naturalization. Try it.

[JMRJ]

The FOIA helped you a lot ? How so ?

I just wanted to re examine my records because somebody filed and filled up my paperwork while I was applying for permanent residency. I did not know English language 10 years ago... well, some basics= I, me, is, he, are...